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Re: Daylight Savings change
Gary Ferdinand
Do I also have to update the “Time Offset” in APPC Manage Sites? In my case from -5 (EST) to -4 (EDT)? APPC gets time itself from the computer which is in ET (now DST)
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Re: Does APCC Use ASCOM Setting for Track on Unpark?
Ray Gralak
Hi Steve,
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Have you looked at the APCC/Driver log files? They should be able to tell you if tracking had been started. -Ray Gralak Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): http://www.astro-physics.com/index.htm?products/accessories/software/apcc/ap cc Author of PEMPro: http://www.ccdware.com Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: http://www.gralak.com/apdriver Author of PulseGuide: http://www.pulseguide.com Author of Sigma: http://www.gralak.com/sigma -----Original Message-----some reason ACP has not connected to the mount (AP3600) and the mount has alreadystarted tracking. I have the ASCOM driver (v5.09.07) set to Not Enable mounttracking on unpark and APCC (v1.5.0.20) set to set tracking rate at Zero where it hadbeen set to Sidereal. This should correct the issue of the mount tracking now afterAPCC initializes the mount if ACP doesn't connect, yes? I need to find out whysometimes the mount isn't connecting but at least I won't have to worry about thetracking into the pier otherwise. |
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Re: Daylight Savings change
You guys are great! thanks, Steve H *This e-mail was made with 100% recycled (and recyclable) electrons. No trees were destroyed and no animals were harmed. Though the ozone may have been damaged. From: "George george@... [ap-gto]" To: "ap-gto@..." Cc: "ap-ug@..." Sent: Monday, March 13, 2017 11:04 AM Subject: [ap-gto] Daylight Savings change Dear Users,
Please note that we have detailed instructions for the Daylight Savings keypad change on the Technical Support section of the website. We have cleverly put it under the category: Keypad.
See:
Clear and Steady Skies,
George
George Whitney
Technical Support and Communications
Astro-Physics, Inc.
11250 Forest Hills Road
Machesney Park, IL 61115
Phone: 815-282-1513
Fax: 815-282-9847
Email: george@...
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Roland Christen
Perfect balance is not necessary (ideally yes, but the motors can take a certain amount of imbalance). In the past people have used small sliding counterweights on the OTA instead of juggling the tube position for perfect balance. It's probably the safest way to do this.
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When you are trying to move a heavy long OTA in a dovetail bar, regardless of make, gravity will always fight you and cause huge amount of friction that prevents easy movement. It is normally a 2 man job, one person holds the scope back against gravity while the other pushes it back and forth in the dovetail. Short of putting the scope on linear bearings, it will always be difficult to move it. Rolando -----Original Message-----
From: andrew.jones6@... [ap-gto] To: ap-gto Sent: Mon, Mar 13, 2017 10:03 am Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk. Does anyone know if someone makes a saddle with a Dec balance mechanism built in? I am thinking of something that would have an adjustment knob that would allow you to move the scope forward and back and then adjustment screws to lock down the position once balanced. I too find the Dec balancing to be troublesome, not only because of the weight of the scope/risk of loosening the dovetail clamp too much, but also because in my case the balance point is very narrow so getting it exactly correct can be a real challenge. The fact that we need to go through this exercise every time we change cameras or other gear would make this type of thing pretty handy to have. I am sure it would be pretty expense to make, but probably a lot cheaper than a busted OTA. Just curious if anyone has seen something like this.
Andrew J
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Daylight Savings change
George
Dear Users,
Please note that we have detailed instructions for the Daylight Savings keypad change on the Technical Support section of the website. We have cleverly put it under the category: Keypad. See: http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/keypad/Daylight_Savings_Change_in_Keypad.pdf
Clear and Steady Skies,
George
George Whitney Technical Support and Communications Astro-Physics, Inc. 11250 Forest Hills Road Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 Email: george@...
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
andrew.jones6@...
Does anyone know if someone makes a saddle with a Dec balance mechanism built in?
I am thinking of something that would have an adjustment knob that would allow you to move the scope forward and back and then adjustment screws to lock down the position once balanced. I too find the Dec balancing to be troublesome, not only because of the weight of the scope/risk of loosening the dovetail clamp too much, but also because in my case the balance point is very narrow so getting it exactly correct can be a real challenge. The fact that we need to go through this exercise every time we change cameras or other gear would make this type of thing pretty handy to have. I am sure it would be pretty expense to make, but probably a lot cheaper than a busted OTA. Just curious if anyone has seen something like this. Andrew J |
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New product from SBIG
Suresh Mohan
Hi guys , There is a new product from SBIG which may interest you , it's called the seeing monitor it's a st 1 camera attached to f2.8 100 mm lens plus software with instant live output of seeing . Cost is 2200usd . Was browsing Thro astronomy technologies magazine and saw it there . |
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Does APCC Use ASCOM Setting for Track on Unpark?
Steve Reilly
I have looked at the telescope at SRO several times when I see that for some reason ACP has not connected to the mount (AP3600) and the mount has already started tracking. I have the ASCOM driver (v5.09.07) set to Not Enable mount tracking on unpark and APCC (v1.5.0.20) set to set tracking rate at Zero where it had been set to Sidereal. This should correct the issue of the mount tracking now after APCC initializes the mount if ACP doesn’t connect, yes? I need to find out why sometimes the mount isn’t connecting but at least I won’t have to worry about the tracking into the pier otherwise.
Steve
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Wayne Hixson
I noticed that too, Ross. I was thinking of doing that but decided to give that new Rayox saddle plate a try while it's on a 15% discount.
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On Sunday, March 12, 2017, 10:03 AM, Ross Biederman rebjl1@... [ap-gto] wrote:
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Ross Biederman <rebjl1@...>
Hi: I came into this conversation late, so apologize if I'm totally out of context here. In reading your email noted I had the same problem with my scope sliding within the DOVELM2 and also experienced sliding/movement within the AP Vixen-Losmandy adapter. Both plates came from AP with 2 tightening knobs but 3 predrilled knob holes. I ordered from AP the additional knobs ($25 each) so that I use all 3 instead of only 2. It appears to have solved the problem. Hope that helps best wishes Ross From: "wayneh9026@... [ap-gto]" To: ap-gto@... Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2017 12:59 PM Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Method for scope balancing with minimum risk. Right I understand. I have the DOVELM2, the shorter one. I think I have enough room to slide everything, it's just that it fell out when I was in the process of balancing
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Wayne Hixson
Right I understand. I have the DOVELM2, the shorter one. I think I have enough room to slide everything, it's just that it fell out when I was in the process of balancing
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
If I was trying to mount an 85 lb OTA on a GEM mount I would use a
Linak telescoping column to build a rolling, telescoping electric platform
to crank the OTA up to the dovetail with the RA axis level and the DEC axis
pointed straight down. Counterweights removed. I would have the OTA
pointed down as well. Roll the OTA to the mount, jack it up and lock
it in. Then add the counterweights.
I hope this helps.
Christopher
Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2017 8:10 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Method for scope balancing with minimum risk. Wayne and Chris,
Everybody has their own PARK preference, based on the size of OTA
being handled, but ...
I feel that Park-3 can be dangerous to the OTA. Worst
case, the owner would usually recover from his telescope caused injuries or
psychological damage, in hospital :-)
Never saw the logic of Park-3 for mounting a heavy
OTA to its saddle – unless it is a fairly light refractor that can be flipped
easily from one’s shoulder onto the saddle – like the one in a movie clip
I saw of Rolando at AP ... “un-shouldering it like an army soldier’s
rifle”.
I too have “safety stops” on my saddle
plate – in fact, one on each end of the D-Plate in case the CP3
slews with the pointing OTA dipped downward, while the locks are not
tightened enough. One time, positioned at (nearly) Park-3, seemed
safe enough to use with loosened saddle knobs, so I could “gently shuffle” the
OTA along its saddle, a bit at a time, more easily with “some”
gravity assist. Then suddenly, it just came unstuck, and slid, slamming
down, darned hard into the safety dead-stop. This could NOT have been very
healthy for the 25 primary mirror. Certainly could rattle an expensive lens in
its cell. I thought the collision would snap the safety screw head right off.
This wasn’t even at the full Park-3, but only with the OTA canted
somewhat, at about 45 degrees from final full vertical - because I didn’t
want to risk it sliding down too fast.
So, I rarely use Park-3 - except as a test or mount
exercising destination, for saddle adjusting my 85 lb. bulky RCOS 14.5
inch truss OTA, which is as heavy as the R-H Astrograph . When it slides down,
there is almost enough momentum when suddenly slammed onto the stop screw,
to flip it and its tripod attached AP mount, right over onto the ground.
Park-2 is the safest and most convenient saddle
position, since the OTA will at many sites, just rest there by itself without
rolling out of its saddle/rings ... if your mount setup is at 45
deg. Latitude, or lower – but requires an increasingly more
“re-assuring, spotting position, hand” on the OTA with loosened knobs, if
you are at higher Latitudes.
Joe
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Joe Zeglinski
Wayne,
Which model of AP saddle are you using?
There are usually additional offset mount attachment
“hole patterns” on them, to shift the entire saddle somewhat further up or down.
See the AP product page – saddle hole patterns are printed. My old DOVELM2 had
only the one centered pattern, so I had a machinist make an addition set of
holes, for this. The current version has TEWO patterns – one which is NOT
centred, but can be used to shift the saddle up or down, by chasing an
“inverted” position to bolt it down. That moves the offset pattern to the top
end or the bottom end.
The same thing is possible using the longer saddles. So,
if you need a bit more slide for the OTA to sit balanced, consider re-attaching
your saddle using the next offset hole pattern, and rotating it so the OTA
balance point is immediately higher or lower.
Hope I got my idea across, in this long winded explanation.
Joe
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
The Raylox saddle does look very intriguing and I have been tempted
to get one to play with, just for the heck of it.
However it doesn't look like it would really help me load a C14 on an
1100 easier or safer than my current dovetail system.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2017 7:00 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Method for scope balancing with minimum risk. I hope this doesn't bother people but I am repeating this post:
I had the exact same accident as you had, and my AP Y-cable snapped and
actually saved the OTAs. I cut myself but fortunately no stitches.
It I added the cost of the Y-cable and the dent in the tube, it was close to the
difference in price between the regular dovetail and Rayox. Now I can
adjust heavy OTAs without an issue.
Derek
On Sat, Mar 11, 2017 at 8:44 AM, wayneh9026@... [ap-gto] <ap-gto@...> wrote:
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Joe Zeglinski
Wayne and Chris,
Everybody has their own PARK preference, based on the size of OTA
being handled, but ...
I feel that Park-3 can be dangerous to the OTA. Worst
case, the owner would usually recover from his telescope caused injuries or
psychological damage, in hospital :-)
Never saw the logic of Park-3 for mounting a heavy
OTA to its saddle – unless it is a fairly light refractor that can be flipped
easily from one’s shoulder onto the saddle – like the one in a movie clip
I saw of Rolando at AP ... “un-shouldering it like an army soldier’s
rifle”.
I too have “safety stops” on my saddle
plate – in fact, one on each end of the D-Plate in case the CP3
slews with the pointing OTA dipped downward, while the locks are not
tightened enough. One time, positioned at (nearly) Park-3, seemed
safe enough to use with loosened saddle knobs, so I could “gently shuffle” the
OTA along its saddle, a bit at a time, more easily with “some”
gravity assist. Then suddenly, it just came unstuck, and slid, slamming
down, darned hard into the safety dead-stop. This could NOT have been very
healthy for the 25 primary mirror. Certainly could rattle an expensive lens in
its cell. I thought the collision would snap the safety screw head right off.
This wasn’t even at the full Park-3, but only with the OTA canted
somewhat, at about 45 degrees from final full vertical - because I didn’t
want to risk it sliding down too fast.
So, I rarely use Park-3 - except as a test or mount
exercising destination, for saddle adjusting my 85 lb. bulky RCOS 14.5
inch truss OTA, which is as heavy as the R-H Astrograph . When it slides down,
there is almost enough momentum when suddenly slammed onto the stop screw,
to flip it and its tripod attached AP mount, right over onto the ground.
Park-2 is the safest and most convenient saddle
position, since the OTA will at many sites, just rest there by itself without
rolling out of its saddle/rings ... if your mount setup is at 45
deg. Latitude, or lower – but requires an increasingly more
“re-assuring, spotting position, hand” on the OTA with loosened knobs, if
you are at higher Latitudes.
Joe
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Adjusting a C14 on my 1100 in Park3 is only slightly more difficult
than adjusting my 130 on my Mach1. The weight is centered over the
dovetail bracket and loosening the lock knobs only slightly is enough to allow
the scope to be slid forward and back in the bracket. Of course at
a higher latitude than mine (20) it is a tad more challenging, but not that
much.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2017 6:44 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Method for scope balancing with minimum risk. |
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Wayne Hixson
Hi Derek, I'd actually heard of this but didn't think it was available for an AP mount. I do think that the dovetail mount system could use some re-engineering, but maintain backward compatibility
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Derek Wong
I hope this doesn't bother people but I am repeating this post: I had the exact same accident as you had, and my AP Y-cable snapped and actually saved the OTAs. I cut myself but fortunately no stitches. It I added the cost of the Y-cable and the dent in the tube, it was close to the difference in price between the regular dovetail and Rayox. Now I can adjust heavy OTAs without an issue. Derek On Sat, Mar 11, 2017 at 8:44 AM, wayneh9026@... [ap-gto] <ap-gto@...> wrote:
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Re: 130GTX Autofocus
Wayne Hixson
Dan, thanks for the verification!
---In ap-gto@..., <dragracingdan@...> wrote : Hey Wayne, I have the same motor focuser for the GTX. You are correct, the step size is just under 1 micron. It's been great for imaging. I use the autofocus routine in Sequence Generator Pro with excellent results. When using the fast 4.5 reducer, I have it set to refocus every 0.7 degrees in temperature drop. You can get away with 1-1.5 degrees using the 3.5" flattener. Make sure to disengage the motor if you travel, that way any bumps to the case won't put pressure the gears. Best Dan |
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Re: Method for scope balancing with minimum risk.
Wayne Hixson
Thanks Christopher, I had thought that would be more difficult because you're fighting gravity but it would definitely minimize the risk of falling out as I do have a safety stop on the dovetail
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